Eumenides

Little is known for sure about the life of Aeschylus. He seems to have been born about the year 525 BC, into an ancient family of the aristocracy, in the town of Eleusis. Eleusis was the home of the Eleusinian Mysteries, celebrated in honor of Demeter (whose name means Earth Mother) and Persephone, who reigned …

Not women, but Gorgons I call them; no, not even to the shape of Gorgons can I compare them. . . . . . . . . . . These appear wingless, black, altogether hateful in their ways; and they snore with a blast unapproachable, and from their eyes they drip a loathsome liquid. And …

Transformation of Ideas about Justice The main theme of The Eumenides can best be approached by reminding ourselves of the themes of the first two plays in the trilogy. The theme of the Agamemnon is a dilemma rather than any positive message: Justice will be done, those who transgress will suffer, but woe be to …

The Gods The most powerful images in the play are the gods themselves, especially the Furies. Everything about them has a meaning beyond the literal meaning, and some of the most powerful metaphors and similes of the play are used to describe them. In the beginning they are utterly repellent. The Pythia compares them to …

Apollo In the Agamemnon we hear of Apollo as the god who gave Cassandra the gift of prophecy when she promised to sleep with him; when she did not keep her promise, he added the doom that her prophecies should never be believed. In The Libation Bearers, we hear of Apollo as the god whose …

Summary The scene shifts to the Hill of Ares, the Areopagus. Athena, Apollo, and Orestes enter, along with the silent actors who will represent a herald, the judges, and the audience. Athena bids the herald invite the people to take their places and bids the trumpet sound; now all are to be silent …

Summary The Chorus of Furies sing and dance their anger and grief against the “younger gods” who have trampled on “the ancient laws” (778) and dishonored the Furies themselves. They threaten to blast the land with diseases that will kill crops and children. They see themselves as mocked and bemoan their fate. Athena …

Summary The scene is now Athens and the ancient temple of Athena. Orestes prays to Athena, with his arms around an image of Athena. Following Apollo’s orders, he has undergone various purifications, and now comes to Athena for help. The Chorus of Furies enter, and the Chorus Leader speaks. We are on his …

Summary Athena herself appears on stage; she describes her flight without wings over the sea from an area near Troy that the Greek leaders gave to her after the Trojan War. Seeing the Furies, she feels wonder, but not fear. She asks to know who they are, as well as who the stranger …

(in the Greek text—line numbers in the translations vary) Summary The scene of the play is at first in front of the temple of Apollo in Delphi, the home of the Delphic oracle. The Pythia, the priestess of Apollo who delivers his oracles, prays before entering the shrine. First she names the gods …